Latest news with #Inquest
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Police actions worsened medical crisis that led to black man's death, inquest finds
A vulnerable black man who died after police dragged him across a bathroom floor by his collar and handcuffed him had a medical emergency that was worsened by his interactions with the officers, an inquest jury has concluded. Godrick Osei, a student, had been experiencing acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in the early hours of 3 July 2022 after using cannabis and cocaine, and drinking alcohol, the inquest into his death heard. The 35-year-old thought he was being chased by someone and called the police asking for help before breaking into a care home in Truro, Cornwall, and entering a narrow bathroom. Care home staff called 999 and when police officers arrived, Osei was locked inside the bathroom screaming and calling for help. Officers forced their way in and found Osei on the floor. One of the officers, PC Peter Boxall, told the inquest he dragged Osei by his collar as this was the safest way to get him out of the narrow space. He argued that handcuffing him was justified for the safety of the officers and members of the public, including Osei. The inquest heard ABD presents with symptoms such as extreme agitation, paranoia, rapid breathing and sweating, and can be exacerbated by restraint. Boxall said he had been trained in ABD but had not recognised it in Osei. The inquest jury returned a narrative conclusion on Friday. It said: 'Godrick's death was caused by heart failure related to acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) and associated drug and alcohol misuse and mental health difficulties (PTSD). 'His ABD was exacerbated by the use of illicit substances and alcohol and psychological distress he experienced with his interactions with the police.' In legal arguments during the inquest, the family argued that the jury should be given the option of reaching a conclusion of unlawful killing. They said that everything Osei experienced that night – including being dragged across the floor and sworn at – was 'part and parcel' of the events that led to his death. Devon and Cornwall police argued that natural causes ought to be the conclusion. The case is particularly sensitive for the Devon and Cornwall force after the death of church caretaker Thomas Orchard, who died after a heavy webbing belt was placed over his face by police during a mental health crisis in Exeter in 2012. An inquest jury found in 2023 that prolonged use of the belt may have contributed to his death. The charity Inquest, which has been supporting Osei's family, said his death highlighted a 'broader and longstanding pattern' of a disproportionate number of deaths of black men after police use of force, particularly those in mental health crisis. Research by Inquest in 2022 reported that black people are seven times more likely to die after police restraint than white people. After the conclusion of the hearing, Jodie Anderson, senior caseworker at Inquest, said: 'The police response to Godrick was brutal and inhumane. Terrified and in crisis, he called 999 seeking help, fearing for his life. Instead, he was met with aggression and force. 'Godrick's death highlights a deeply embedded culture within policing: one that defaults to violence rather than compassion. From the Macpherson report to the Casey review, the warnings about institutional racism have been clear – yet nothing changes.' During his inquest in Truro, Osei's family claimed he was treated 'inhumanely' because of his race, which was denied by the officers involved in the incident. His relatives described him as a deeply loved son, brother, and father-of-two, a 'gentle giant' who had struggled with his mental health after the death of his father. Una Morris, the family's lawyer, suggested to PC Boxall that his attitude changed when he saw Osei was black. The inquest heard that he told a colleague to 'red dot' Osei – aim a Taser at him, though the electrical weapon was not discharged – and said: 'Fucking hell, look at the sight of his fingers.' The lawyer asked Boxall if dragging a black man by the collar across the floor and swearing at him was 'inhumane'. Boxall replied that the man's race made no difference. 'We needed to gain control,' he said. However, he apologised for his language. Devon and Cornwall police have been contacted for comment.
ITV News
21-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Deaf TikTok star ‘had no translator for care check-up' three days before death
A nurse involved in the care of a deaf TikTok star who died after ingesting poison warned of a 'huge shortage' of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, during an inquest into the death. Imogen Nunn, 25, died in Brighton, East Sussex, on New Year's Day 2023 after taking a poisonous substance she ordered online. Ms Nunn, who was born deaf, raised awareness of hearing and mental health issues on her social media accounts, which attracted more than 780,000 followers. On Tuesday, the Inquest at West Sussex Coroners Court in Horsham were informed of a 'huge shortage' in BSL interpreters from Carmen Jones, a nurse for the deaf adult community team (DACT) at South West London and St George's NHS Trust. Just days before Ms Nunn's death, she received a check-in visit at her home from care professionals after sending a text message saying she had had an increase in suicidal thoughts. No BSL interpreter was brought to the meeting as there was not enough time to arrange it, the court was told in March. Communicating through a BSL interpreter on Tuesday, Ms Jones said: 'There is a huge shortage of BSL interpreters. 'Even in my current job I still struggle to get interpreters for my role in my work and because I've seen deaf patients requiring access to mental health teams, I see that they are also struggling.' She told senior coroner Penelope Schofield 'it would be very difficult' for a deaf person to communicate the crisis they were in without an interpreter. 'It's based around language, how can anyone understand another person if they don't share a language?' Ms Jones added. Consultant psychiatrist Simon Baker, who visited Ms Nunn on 29 December 2022 at her home, previously told the court he was 'surprised' how well the meeting had gone. The inquest into Ms Nunn's death was previously adjourned for two months because there were no BSL interpreters available to translate for two members of DACT. This correlated with concerns noted in a prevention of future deaths report written by Ms Schofield regarding Ms Nunn's care. It reads: 'During the course of the inquest (which has yet to be concluded), I heard evidence that there was a lack of availability of British Sign Language Interpreters able to help support deaf patients in the community who were being treated with mental health difficulties. 'This was particularly apparent when mental health staff were seeking an interpreter at short notice for a patient who was in crisis. 'The lack of interpreters available has meant that urgent assessments are being carried out with no interpreters present.' The inquest continues.
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Deaf TikTok star ‘had no translator for care check-up' three days before death
Imogen Nunn, 25, died in Brighton, East Sussex, on New Year's Day 2023 after taking a poisonous substance she ordered online. Ms Nunn, who was born deaf, raised awareness of hearing and mental health issues on her social media accounts, which attracted more than 780,000 followers. On Tuesday, the Inquest at West Sussex Coroners Court in Horsham were informed of a 'huge shortage' in BSL interpreters from Carmen Jones, a nurse for the deaf adult community team (DACT) at South West London and St George's NHS Trust. Just days before Ms Nunn's death, she received a check-in visit at her home from care professionals after sending a text message saying she had had an increase in suicidal thoughts. No BSL interpreter was brought to the meeting as there was not enough time to arrange it, the court was told in March. Communicating through a BSL interpreter on Tuesday, Ms Jones said: 'There is a huge shortage of BSL interpreters. 'Even in my current job I still struggle to get interpreters for my role in my work and because I've seen deaf patients requiring access to mental health teams, I see that they are also struggling.' She told senior coroner Penelope Schofield 'it would be very difficult' for a deaf person to communicate the crisis they were in without an interpreter. 'It's based around language, how can anyone understand another person if they don't share a language?' Ms Jones added. Consultant psychiatrist Simon Baker, who visited Ms Nunn on 29 December 2022 at her home, previously told the court he was 'surprised' how well the meeting had gone. The inquest into Ms Nunn's death was previously adjourned for two months because there were no BSL interpreters available to translate for two members of DACT. This correlated with concerns noted in a prevention of future deaths report written by Ms Schofield regarding Ms Nunn's care. It reads: 'During the course of the inquest (which has yet to be concluded), I heard evidence that there was a lack of availability of British Sign Language Interpreters able to help support deaf patients in the community who were being treated with mental health difficulties. 'This was particularly apparent when mental health staff were seeking an interpreter at short notice for a patient who was in crisis. 'The lack of interpreters available has meant that urgent assessments are being carried out with no interpreters present.' The inquest continues on Wednesday morning.
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- The Guardian
Nurse charged after death of man at Berkshire police station
A nurse has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the death of a man at a UK police station. William Cameron, 38, died after being taken into custody at Loddon Valley police station, near Reading in Berkshire, on 8 January 2020. On Monday, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that a healthcare professional – named as Sean Cregg – would face charges after a review of evidence from the police watchdog, theIOPC. A police sergeant was under investigation after Cameron's death but will not face charges. Urging against commentary on the case that could prejudice proceedings, Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS special crime division, said: 'Following a review of the evidence from the IOPC, we have authorised criminal charges against a healthcare professional after the death of William Cameron, 38, in 2020. 'Sean Cregg, 35, a nurse employed by Mountain Healthcare at the time, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and an offence under section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. 'No further individuals have been charged in connection with this case.' The watchdog referred the case to the CPS for a charging decision in 2021. Cameron's sister, Patricia Cameron, who is being supported by the charity Inquest, which helps families bereaved by state-related deaths, said: 'William was a kind, loving and protective brother. He was one in a million. 'It has been five and a half years since William died and I remain completely invested in finally getting some answers to questions I've been asking myself since William died.' Cregg is expected to appear at Westminster magistrates court on 1 July.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Mental health deaths inquiry hears about ‘denial and defensiveness'
The default response of many NHS trusts is denial and defensiveness, an inquiry into the deaths of more than 2,000 mental health patients in Essex was told. Deborah Coles, executive director of the charity Inquest, said that the falsification of safety records was 'well known within the Essex context'. Ms Coles, giving evidence to the Lampard Inquiry on Monday, said that Inquest has a team of 16 people and carries out specialist casework on state-related deaths. The Lampard Inquiry, chaired by Baroness Kate Lampard, is examining deaths at NHS-run inpatient units in Essex between 2000 and 2023. It will include those who died within three months of discharge, and those who died as inpatients receiving NHS-funded care in the independent sector. Ms Coles told the inquiry: ' One of the things that I think our work has identified thematically is that default response of many NHS trusts and private providers to kind of denial and defensiveness. 'And a lack of candour and of concern more about reputation management than being concerned about learning and seeking improvements.' Nicholas Griffin KC, counsel to the inquiry, asked Ms Coles about 'poor record-keeping including falsification'. Ms Coles said she believed the 'situation is well known within the Essex context, but with people just falsifying very significant safety records'. Mr Griffin said Ms Coles makes reference in a statement to a 'high prevalence of falsified observation records'. Ms Coles confirmed that she did make reference to this, and continued: 'I mean, if you think about the importance of observations to people who are particularly vulnerable, not least to self-harm and self-inflicted death, then observations are absolutely critical. 'To then see falsification does speak to a very worrying culture, I think.' Earlier in Monday's hearing, at Arundel House in central London, Ms Coles addressed loved ones of those who have died. She said she wanted to 'acknowledge the incredible strength, courage and determination of families who have been relentless in advocating for their loved ones in both life and in death and in having to fight for truth, justice and accountability'. 'We know the trauma of your bereavement but also the trauma in your dealings with the trust and the lack of candour and denial and false promises of learning and action and how retraumatising that has been,' she said. 'This inquiry I think is an absolute testament to your perseverance. 'When someone you love is taken into mental healthcare you expect them to be looked after and kept safe. 'The team at Inquest stand both in solidarity but in support for what you've achieved but also recognise the emotional and physical impact of what you've been and are still going through. 'You've ensured that a light is being shone behind the closed doors of these mental health settings and focusing a light on the candour of the trust and the truth must come out.' Commemorative evidence from loved ones about those who died was given at a series of hearings last year, and this week is the third week of a three-week block of introductory hearings. The introductory hearings will continue until Thursday, with the next block of hearings in July.
